Review: Dark Connections by Rebecca Graf

BLURB:

The story continues from its start in Deep Connections. Brenna has given her heart to Slaton, but Creeper just won’t die. Death cannot stop him from possessing the one to fulfill the prophesy. Now Brenna and Slaton have to fight not only for their own lives but for all those they love. As they do, they discover who Creeper really is and why he wants Brenna so badly. Be prepared for more mystery, suspense, and sweet love.

MY REVIEW:

Holy jumping mother of god in a side car with chocolate jimmies and a lobster bib (phrase snatched from Steve Purcell)!  This book had me on the edge of my seat ready to karate chop anyone who dared to interupt!

Dark Connections is the sequel to Deep Connections and continues the journey that Brenna and Slaton started.  In this book we really learn exactly how dark Jolon is and how he came to be so evil and even better why he refuses to let go of the past.  I chuckle at the names of this series as upon reading them I felt very “connected” to the characters and story and THAT makes me crave more!

The book touches deeply into Indian spirituality, heritage and living.  Those subjects intrigue  me greatly and Rebecca writes about these with intelligence and grace.  You’ll have no doubts about the love between Brenna and Slaton and know they will do whatever it takes to defeat Jolon.  Slaton’s mother, Tahnee is also very present here.  She is so strong and full of love for her family and community.

My favorite parts of the story were the spirit walks that Brenna and Tahnee take and the advice given to them at those times.  Also the confrontations with Jolon were very intense.   What drew me deep into the story was the authors creative use of “powers” the characters have; from the women changing into eagles and men changing into wolves; they have reasons for being able to do this, not just because they can, it’s a means of survival and protection.  There are no intense love scenes so there is no blush factor for this book – at least not for me – and in the age of non stop smut/bdsm being shoved in our faces in books I find this quite refreshing.

The ending is a real cliffhanger and I cannot wait for the next installment!

I received this book for free from the author for an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca lives in Brown Deer, Wisconsin with her husband and three children and has lived in Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Graduated from the University of Montevallo with an accounting degree, Rebecca writing after 20 years in the accounting field.

Reading is a passion of Rebecca’s that has spilled over into her writing. She has been writing online for 3 years on a variety topics including history, education, religion, and facts of life.

She runs the website A Book Lover’s Library (abookloverslibrary.com) and is a partner in a new publishing company called Silver Tongue Press (silvertonguepress.com). She also works as an editor at The News in Books (thenewsinbooks.com) and writes on HubPags for clients. If you are interested in using Rebecca’s services to direct traffic to your site or edit your work, you can send her a message here.

Want to use our marketing service and virtual book tours? Check out Celestial Book Promotions athttp://celestialbookpromotions.weebly

AUTHOR SITE     AMAZON     FACEBOOK

 

LOST LOVE by HARMONY BRYCE

BLURB:

It ALL started with spilled champagne…

When Markus Anthony accidentally bumps into the stunning Savannah at his brother’s wedding, he gets more than just a soaking wet tuxedo.

In that instance, a love he believed to be forever lost is sparked anew.
She’s more beautiful than ever, and her kiss sends him into a passionate delirium.

But there’s trouble ahead…

Will his foolish ways cause him to lose Savannah once and for all?
And who is the strange man Savannah’s been talking to in the middle of the night?

MY REVIEW:

LOST LOVE is the second book in the Anthony Brother’s series and is about brother, Markus Anthony.  Lost Love was a short and sweet contemporary romance between Markus and his high school sweetheart Savannah.  I found the characters to be very relate-able.  The scenes with Markus and his brothers were my favorite and very amusing, the all for one and one for all mantra is hilarious.  LOST LOVE deals with real relationship problems and the trials and tribulations that follow them.  Will their relationship survive?  You’ll have to read it to find out!  You won’t be disappointed!  I look forward to the next installation from Harmony Bryce, Forbidden Love.  Check out the author website for a freebie!

ABOUT HARMONY BRYCE:

Harmony Bryce is a true romantic and loves spreading her “feel good” feelings in her writings. She writes contemporary romance books sprinkled with love, laughter and some unexpected surprises.

Harmony adores flavorful cups of tea, opportunity shopping, and buying unique vintage and antique bric-a-brac to showcase her deep love of everything vintage. Her big loves are her family, spending time with life long friends, loving her pets and making the most of what life has to offer.

Harmony lives in beautiful Sydney, Australia. Her favourite books are series books — either reading them herself or writing them. Sometimes you fall in love with book characters that you want to see or hear about in more than one book….

AUTHOR WEBSITE          AMAZON          TWITTER          FACEBOOK

 

Note:  I received this book for free from the author for an honest review.

Big Sky Blue by Hildie McQueen

Blurb:   

Left to raise his infant son alone, a hardened Hank Cole is determined to make the best of it while prospering his ranch, but when a beautiful woman literally lands on his doorstep, he is helpless against the attraction between them.
Elizabeth Dawson is too outspoken for gentle society, but she may be the perfect match for a tough Montana cowboy.

A story of two very different people who belong together, proof that sometimes fate can have a sense of humor when it comes to love.

My Review:

Hildie McQueen never disappoints when it comes to these historical romance stories. I am a fan for life.  Big Sky Blue was short and sweet.  But it was also filled with the gorgeous background scenery of Alder’s Gulch, Montana in 1838.   I enjoyed reading the tale of cattle rancher, Hank Cole, and how he came to meet Virginia socialite, Elizabeth Dawson.   Both are total opposites, yet are looking for the same things in life.  But timing is everything right?  Hank is once bitten twice shy but how can he resist the intelligent and beautiful Elizabeth?  I recommend Big Sky Blue to any woman who loves western historical romances, you won’t be disappointed. Big Sky Blue made me smile and left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, which is a GOOD thing!

About the Author:

I write Historical Western Romance as well as Paranormal Romance, with a touch of Historical here and there. I’ve also published eight Highlander Historical Erotic short stories. I am a member of Romance Writers of America, as well as Georgia Romance Writers and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapters of RWA.

For fun I spend a lot of time with my girlfriends. My wonderful hubby is my partner in crime for traveling. We love to jump in the car or sometimes his motorcycle and head to the mountains, the city or the beach.

GOODREADS          AMAZON          AUTHOR WEBSITE

THE LETTER by MARIANNA SPITZER

BLURB:

Kellie, a young college grad laid off from her first teaching job and besieged by creditors, receives a letter requesting her appearance at the reading of Frederick Malone’s will. What could she have in common with the town’s richest man? Curiosity draws her to the will reading where she learns she has inherited a vast sum. The conditions of her inheritance require she change her name and reside in the Malone mansion. Long considered haunted by the residents of Malone Springs, Kellie, her fiancé and four friends move in ignoring the rumors. Strange and frightening events begin to plague Kellie before she moves and grow more frightening once she and her friends settle in. Adopted at birth, her adoptive parents killed in an auto accident leave Kellie to investigate her ancestors on her own. What she discovers leads her into more danger and mystery as she learns the true nature of her biological grandfather. Could his evil deeds hurt her from beyond the grave? Who’s responsible for the strange occurrences? What happened to her biological parents? As one solved mystery leads Kellie into another, she and her friends try to solve them all before tragedy strikes.
This book also contains the supernatural/mystery short story “MEGAN’S FEAR.”

AMAZON  AUTHOR WEBSITE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born in Milwaukee, and lived there until I was eighteen. Then I spent eight years in Washington state and California before returning to Wisconsin. I love eerie places and books. I began with a love of Nancy Drew books and as I grew I found H.P Lovecraft, Agatha Christie, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle among others. When I am not writing, I am reading or watching sunsets. I have been writing short stories since I was in grade school. Most were in the form of essays relating real life events. Many were purely imaginary trips to magical places and times. I enjoy making up stories about people I meet or see on the street. I can see a story in a picture, especially if the picture is eerie. My imagination runs wild and free. I have self-published a book of essays and a book of children’s stories for my granddaughter, Brittney. Gypsy Spirits is my debut novel and the first in the series of three “spirit” books. I have self-published the second “spirit” book, Annamarie and Magdalena. I also self-published a supernatural mystery, THE LETTER. I plan to have the sequel to THE LETTER out this year and the third “spirit” book available winter 2013/14. From there I am sure my muse will guide me into another story plot.

MY REVIEW:

It’s been a while since I’ve read a good mystery and The Letter does not disappoint. If you love books with many plot twists and turns that keeps you on the edge of your seat and an ending you won’t be able to predict then this is the story for you!

I loved the connection the main characters had with each other, specifically Kellie and Drew and their college friends, Cole, Hunter, Taylor, and Megan. Marianne gives us good background information on Kellie so that we can fully understand how she became the smart, strong willed young woman that she has blossomed into.  As I read further I Kellie’s story really captivated me; the connection I had with her left me daydreaming what I might do with nice chunk of inheritance if it ever fell into my lap.

There are no graphic sex scenes and while the scare factor is definitely there, there is no gore factor in The Letter.  In my opinion the story is suitable for anyone age 13 and up.

FAVORITE SCENE/QUOTE:

They fell asleep quickly. Neither heard the large grandfather clock in the foyer announce midnight, but they did hear Emma’s scream.

Her scream was loud and clear, exactly like the other night. Something had terrified her again. Her five friends ran into her room as quickly as they could. They were so concerned, they didn’t see the eyes watching them through the partly open door in the empty third bedroom. The eyes disappeared quickly.

“What the hell happened now?” asked a half-asleep Cole.
“A ghost, I saw her. Her glowing white dress was right in my doorway. Her hair was glowing, too. It was horrible. She was walking toward me, but I screamed and hid my face. When I looked again, she was gone.”

I was given an advanced copy of this book for free for an honest review.

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Feature and a Follow blog hop Friday

This blog hop is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  Each week they each feature a blogger or author on the blog hop so check out their sites and join in on the fun and gain new followers.   If you’d like me to follow you, please comment on this post and I will follow you back.   I’d prefer to be followed via blog lovin but if your not on there then follow via email or facebook.  Thanks!

This week’s Question:

Share something you’ve learned about book blogging or just blogging in general in the last month.

I’ve learned not to bite off more than I can chew this past month.  So many good books and so little time!

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Review: Immortals Book Two by Ednah Walters

Book Title:  Immortals

Series:  Runes

Author:  Ednah Walters

Release Date:  August 5^th 2013

Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance

Length:  342 Pages

Publisher:  Firetrail Publishing

Presented by: Walking on Bookshelves & As You Wish Tours

Immortals Tour Schedule

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…

Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.

She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again.

But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.

EXCERPT 

“It’s nice to have you back, Raine,” Catie said, sitting across from me. The others flanked her.

I ignored them, forked a piece of lettuce, and placed it in my mouth. I waved to Eirik. He was now at the front of the pizza line. He stared pointedly at the three Norns. Then he did what he always did. He lifted his camera, aimed it at us, and clicked.

Okay, I wasn’t the only one seeing them.

“You care about him, don’t you?” Catie asked, glancing at Eirik.

I glared at her. “Leave him alone.”

“I’m happy you care about him because he needs you,” Catie added, her voice gentle as though she hated to be the bearer of bad news.

“Excuse me?”

She reached out to touch my hand, but I cringed, forcing her to retreat. She was always the nicer and quieter one, but today she appeared to be the trio’s chosen spokesperson.

“Eirik needs you more than the Valkyrie does,” she said.

“His name is Torin, not the Valkyrie,” I snapped.

Catie sighed. “I’ll remember that. Eirik really needs your help, Raine. You can protect him better as a Norn than as a Mortal.”

“Protect him from what?”

The three girls looked at each other.

“I told you she didn’t know,” Catie said.

“This is no place to discuss these matters,” Jeanette said impatiently.

Marj nodded. “I agree, but we don’t have time to hang around here and educate her. We have other charges and can’t keep playing favorites.” She glared at Catie and stood.

“What don’t I know?” I asked, getting irritated.

“Who Eirik is,” Catie said in a gentle voice. “Ask your mother. Once you know his story, you’ll understand why he needs you and why you should be there for him.”

“Must be there for him,” Jeanette corrected.

“Why me?” My eyes swung from face to face.

“Because you owe him,” Marj said impatiently.

I cocked my brow. “What?”

“He’s the reason we saved your life,” Jeanette added.

Catie sighed and glared at her friends. “Girls, couldn’t you at least try to be subtle?”

“No, she needs to understand how dire the situation is. We’ll need an answer soon, Lorraine.” Marj glanced at the others and added, “Let’s go.”

I stared after them, shock and anger zipping through me. All I wanted was Torin, not another round with these crones. But how could I ignore them when they’d said Eirik needed me? I was still staring at the exit when he sat across from me.

IMMORTALS BOOK TRAILER CLICK HERE

MY REVIEW:

I don’t read a ton of YA stories but when I do it’s so refreshing and I utterly adored this book.  The connections the characters have with one another is unmistakable and unbreakable.  I’m talking about the love between Torin and Raine and the deeply rooted love Raine also has for Eirik.  Raine is someone you would always want on yourside, she’d move heaven and earth for you if she could.  Raine’s abilities progression in this story is immense.  And considering all she’s been through in such a short amount of time you’re really rooting for her the entire time.  What makes this book so unique to me is the use Norse mythology and runes.  You really have to know what your writing about and Ednah Walters does this with profound intelligence.

AUTHOR BIO

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS (Release date TBA). Read more about this series and the world she’s created here www.runestheseries.com

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She’s presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

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Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch

Synopsis

Gryphons flying past Skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.

Well, not normal for everyone. Larissa Miller may have been born after the Great Collision, but as a history teacher who lives in the human-only city, she has never come into contact with any other race or species. That is, until one day she walks out of her apartment only to be attacked by a mob of Zombies, but then is saved by a Gargoyle.

Leader of the Gargoyles, Terak has been watching over the human woman for months because of a cryptic prophecy. Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but something about this woman stirs every protective instinct within him. When he realizes the danger to her is real, he refuses to allow her to explore this new world without him at her side.

In the course of their investigation Terak becomes entranced by his little human. But when he discovers why Necromancers want her and the great reward that awaits him if he betrays her, he must choose between the welfare of his Clan and not only Larissa’s life, but the fate of this new Realm as well.

Review

This is the first book that I have come across that is about gargolyes and I was really interested to see Ms. Monsch view of their world.

This book touches on social predjudice and has Larissa learning she was right in wanting to learn more about the world she lives in along with all the different species regardless of her father’s wishes. She listens to her inner voice that many of us tend to ignore.

Terak maybe be hundreds of years old, he is not stuck in old ways and traditions. He knows he needs to lead his clan into a new way of life, living among and with other species in peace.

There are trials that both Larissa and Terak must face in order to survive. Even though they are of differing species they are inexplicably drawn together and make an engaging team working together.

I was pleasantly pleased with this book and look forward to reading further publications from Ms. Monsch.

Her website is:

http://www.daniellemonsch.com/dani/

GOODREADS

AMAZON

BOOK REVIEW: Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch

Synopsis

Gryphons flying past Skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.

Well, not normal for everyone. Larissa Miller may have been born after the Great Collision, but as a history teacher who lives in the human-only city, she has never come into contact with any other race or species. That is, until one day she walks out of her apartment only to be attacked by a mob of Zombies, but then is saved by a Gargoyle.

Leader of the Gargoyles, Terak has been watching over the human woman for months because of a cryptic prophecy. Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but something about this woman stirs every protective instinct within him. When he realizes the danger to her is real, he refuses to allow her to explore this new world without him at her side.

In the course of their investigation Terak becomes entranced by his little human. But when he discovers why Necromancers want her and the great reward that awaits him if he betrays her, he must choose between the welfare of his Clan and not only Larissa’s life, but the fate of this new Realm as well.

Review

This is the first book that I have come across that is about gargolyes and I was really interested to see Ms. Monsch view of their world.

This book touches on social predjudice and has Larissa learning she was right in wanting to learn more about the world she lives in along with all the different species regardless of her father’s wishes. She listens to her inner voice that many of us tend to ignore.

Terak maybe be hundreds of years old, he is not stuck in old ways and traditions. He knows he needs to lead his clan into a new way of life, living among and with other species in peace.

There are trials that both Larissa and Terak must face in order to survive. Even though they are of differing species they are inexplicably drawn together and make an engaging team working together.

I was pleasantly pleased with this book and look forward to reading further publications from Ms. Monsch.

Her website is:

http://www.daniellemonsch.com/dani/

BOOK REVIEW: Diamonds and Toads by K.E. Saxon

BLURB:

Together, sweet Delilah and wicked Isadora make the perfect woman. But the Perrault family fairy is a troublemaker and imbues diamonds upon one sister and toads upon the other. Now up is down and down is up in a world where no good deed goes unpunished. Leather, blindfolds, and handcuffs purge sweet of all reserve. A few misspoken words of lust gives wicked a whole new meaning.

Once upon a time, there were two sisters, one cursed and one blessed by fairy magic…

Bibbidee-bobbidi-boo, They’re naughty. How about you?

BOOK REVIEW:

Diamonds and Toads was a wickedly spicy quick read.  This is a short book so I don’t want to give away too much.  There are two parts to the book, the first half deals with a romance between Delilah and Chas; the second book is between Isadora and Sam.  Delilah and Isadora are stepsisters; Chas and Sam have been friends forever so the stories are well intertwined.  Delilah and Isadora have lived in the shadow (and fear) of their stepmom/mom, who’s just downright evil and selfish and only concerned about how high she can get on the social climbing ladder.  In different scenarios Delilah and Isadora encounter a fairy; but who if either will be blessed?   Will the sister’s dreams of finding Mr. Perfect and wealth come true?  For such a short book, K.E. Saxon has packed a lot of details on the backgrounds of her characters and their stories.   My favorite characters were Delilah and Sam.  Who were both charming with a dash of sexy wickedness.   The fairy scenes were very comical and I enjoyed her wit. In one scene she appeared as Endora from Bewitched which I found hilarious.  I loved watching Bewitched while growing up.  I felt the book really touched on peoples character and how to not judge a book by it’s cover so to speak.  There’s a few steamy sex scenes and some have BDSM involved.

Blush factor is 5 out of 5. Not a book for anyone under age 18.

This book was reviewed via NetGalley for free for an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

K.E. Saxon is a third-generation Texan and has been a lover of romance fiction since her first (sneaked) read of her older sister’s copy of “The Flame and the Flower” by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. She is a member of the West Houston Chapter of Romance Writer’s of America and is a devoted subscriber to the Romance Divas online forum. She has two cats, a 24-year-old cockatiel, a funny, supportive husband, and a garden that’s been fried by the recent drought. When she isn’t in her writer’s cave writing, you can find her puttering in her organic vegetable garden or in her kitchen trying out a new recipe. An animal (and bug) lover since before she could speak, she made pets of all kinds of critters when she was a kid growing up. Her mother even swears that she made a pet of a cockroach one time (but K.E. doesn’t believe her). She likes to write funny, sexy romances.

Book Review: HOVER (The Taking 2) by MELISSA WEST

BLURB:  On Earth, seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander was taught to never peek, but if she hopes to survive life on her new planet, Loge, her eyes must never shut. Because Zeus will do anything to save the Ancients from their dying planet, and he has a plan.

Thousands of humans crossed over to Loge after a poisonous neurotoxin released into Earth’s atmosphere, nearly killing them. They sought refuge in hopes of finding a new life, but what they became were slaves, built to wage war against their home planet. That is, unless Ari and Jackson can stop them. But on Loge, nothing is as it seems…and no one can be trusted.

GOODREADS  AMAZON  AUTHOR WEBSITE

MY REVIEW:

I found Hover to be a gripping tale, as the story unfolds you fall deeper into mystery and secrets that Loge holds.  Ari literally has the weight of two worlds on her shoulders and her transformation from mere human to possible savior of both worlds is an amazing tale.  I love how strong Ari is, mentally and physically and how honest she is; she’s not a quitter and is always trying to do what’s right. The thought of anyone having to go through what Ari does is terrifying, but Ari doesn’t drop to a fetal position and cry like most would, she trudges through it all and becomes a better person because of it.  Ari doesn’t see her transformation but everyone around her does and they are rooting for her and believe in her.

On Loge we get to see healers in action, and how ancients are able to read thoughts which make it nearly impossible to try to take down their fearless leader Zeus.  I liken Zeus to the nasty bad boy Cal Hockley from the movie Titanic; Zeus has no redeeming qualities, he is just one mean, nasty, self-righteous bastard – excuse my language – butt-hole.

The romantic aspect in Hover is between Ari and Jackson.  In Hover, Ari’s trust in Jackson in shaken and that has to be rebuilt.  You can definitely feel their affection towards each other, but without trust can they move forward?  The heat level for Hover is minimal (yes I do realize this is a YA novel).

If you love scifi with a pinch of romance Hover will not disappoint you.  You don’t have to but I do recommend you read the first book Gravity before reading Hover.

I received for free an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Melissa lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes shoes, and could not live without coffee. Her writing heroes include greats like Jane Austen and Madeleine L’Engle.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.